Santana wants to strike out melanoma

Mets ace to host bowling benefit to fight disease

Johan Santana has never forgotten the kindness of Lynne Greenberg, the wife of Santana's agent, Ed Greenberg.

In 2007 she died from melanoma and Santana has since joined the fight against skin cancer. On Monday, Santana will host the Johan Santana All-Star Bowling Classic at Lucky Strike Lanes in Manhattan to raise money for his foundation. The proceeds will be donated to programs dedicated to fighting skin cancer.

"We need to make people realize how bad this is and that it can happen to anybody," Santana told the New York Daily News. "We are all human beings, regardless of who you are or what you do. We are human beings, and we're exposed to everything. You go outside, you're exposed. At the end of the day, we're all fragile when it comes to illness and disease."

Michael Young new all-time hits leader for Rangers: Michael Young became the Rangers' all-time hits leader on Wednesday. His 1,748th hit put him ahead of Ivan Rodriguez.

"It's been pretty cool," Young, who broke the record with a two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "To be honest, it's been more than I expected. My family and friends are always good enough for me, but some guys around the league called, and I was happy about that."

One of the calls Young received was from Rodriguez, who had been a teammate of Young's, including briefly last season.

Peavy watched Strasburg work his way up: When Stephen Strasburg was growing up in San Diego, his favorite player was Jake Peavy. Now, as the White Sox and Nationals get set to play each other this weekend, it's Peavy talking about the poise he sees in Strasburg.

"I admire the kid for being as humble as he is and handling all he has been confronted with such composure," Peavy told the Chicago Tribune. "It will be fun to see him and say hello, even though we'll be on different terms.

"The last time I talked to this kid, he was getting ready to be the No. 1 pick [in the MLB Draft]. He was asking for autographs in the Padres' clubhouse because they were his favorite team. It's going to be fun."

Strasburg maintains focus despite the hype: Stephen Strasburg has dealt with the spotlight mainly by ignoring it and trying to keep to his normal routine.

"He just doesn't care" about the attention, fellow Nationals rookie Drew Storen told the The Washington Post. "I don't know how he does it, but he just doesn't let what people say about him define him."

"He gets it," said Tony Gwynn, the Hall of Fame outfielder who was Strasburg's coach at San Diego State University. "He's very humble, a workaholic -- all the things that you want in a player. His focus is unbelievable."

Brian Wilson making his mark as closer: Brian Wilson opened the 2008 season as the Giants' closer, and he's been in that role ever since.

"I think he was the front-runner and the chosen one in the organization. It developed that way. We got the timing right, and the rest is history based on his efforts," general manager Brian Sabean told the San Francisco Chronicle.

"He's always had tremendous fortitude, and he's not at a loss for confidence," Sabean said. "We all know what kind of shape he's in, and he really prides himself on being indestructible."

Just like old times in the infield for Bobby Wilson: Injuries have taken their toll on the Angels' infield, with three starters currently on the disabled list. The Angels now feature Mike Napoli, a catcher, at first base; Kevin Frandsen, a second baseman, at third base and Brandon Wood, a third baseman, at shortstop.

But it seemed like old times for new catcher Bobby Wilson, who had seen part of this alignment before.

"Seeing Wood at short and Howie [Kendrick] at second, that was our middle infield coming up through the Minor Leagues," Wilson told the Los Angeles Times. "It's cool all of us can be on the same field again."

Lilly more than happy to talk pitching: Randy Wells reminds veteran Ted Lilly of himself a little bit.

"I don't talk to him just because he's a younger guy," Lilly told MLB.com. "[Wells] is like me in that he's always interested in learning more about the game. That's one thing I have learned is that I'll never have all the information."

Butler has fond memories of Futures Game: Back in 2006, Billy Butler was named the MVP of the Futures Game during All-Star week. With this week's announcement that the All-Star Game is coming to Kansas City in 2012, Butler spoke fondly of his experience.

"At that point in your career, you've never played in a big league park, so obviously it's a great honor," Butler told MLB.com. "And it's fun, because it gets you connected with guys that are going to be playing in the big leagues. Every team we play against has a representative I played with or against in that Futures Game."

Fast-tracking Doubront to make debut: Red Sox pitching prospect Felix Doubront will make his Major League debut on Friday against the Dodgers at Fenway Park following just four Triple-A starts.

Doubront started the season at Double-A Portland and went 4-0 with a 2.51 ERA before being promoted to Pawtucket, where he went 2-1 with a 1.08 ERA. The left-hander's best pitch is his fastball.

"Those type of prospects are very bright," pitching coach John Farrell told the Boston Globe, referring to power lefties. "Where they don't have to rely on hitters going outside the zone, chasing pitches to get themselves out.

"When you see a left-hander who's [6-foot-3] who can throw the ball in the low 90s, that's a lot of good things to start with."

Texeira takes home the scorecard: After picking up his first Major League win on Tuesday night, Kanekoa Texeira was given the scorecard by Royals manager Ned Yost.